Multi-band wideband power amplifier digital predistorition system and method

ABSTRACT

A high performance and cost effective method of RF-digital hybrid mode power amplifier systems with high linearity and high efficiency for multi-frequency band wideband communication system applications is disclosed. The present disclosure enables a power amplifier system to be field reconfigurable and support multiple operating frequency bands on the same PA system over a very wide bandwidth. In addition, the present invention supports multi-modulation schemes (modulation agnostic), multi-carriers and multi-channels.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of: U.S. Patent Application Ser. No.61/288,838, filed Dec. 21, 2009, entitled MULTIBAND WIDEBAND POWERAMPLIFIER DIGITAL PREDISTORTION SYSTEM AND METHOD and naming asinventors Wan-Jong Kim, .Kyoung-Joon Cho, and Shawn Patrick Stapleton,the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference for allpurposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to wireless communicationsystems using complex modulation techniques. More specifically, thepresent invention relates to power amplifier systems for wirelesscommunications.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A wideband mobile communication system using complex modulationtechniques, such as wideband code division access (WCDMA) and orthogonalfrequency division multiplexing (OFDM), has large peak-to-average powerratio (PAPR) specifications and hence requires highly linear poweramplifiers for its RF transmissions. Conventional digital predistortion(DPD) techniques have an operational bandwidth limitation.

Conventional DSP-based DPD schemes utilize FPGAs, DSPs ormicroprocessors to compute, calculate and correct the PA'snonlinearities: they perform fast tracking and adjustments of signals inthe PA system However, conventional DSP-based DPD schemes are challengedby variations of the linearity performance of the power amplifier overwide bandwidths due to the environment changing such as temperature andthe asymmetric distortions of the output signal of the PA resulting frommemory effects. Conventional DPD algorithms are based on a widebandfeedback signal, they require a high speed analog-to-digital converter(ADC) in order to capture the necessary information. Multi-frequencyband, or simply multi-band, applications can have their operatingfrequencies spaced significantly apart. Conventional DPD architecturesuse an ADC sampling rate that is greater than twice the nonlineardistortion bandwidth of the input signal. This sampling rate istypically more than double a factor of five times the operatingbandwidth of the complex modulated signal. The factor of five accountsfor the spectral re-growth attributed to the nonlinear distortioncreated by the power amplifier. This restriction on sampling rate,limits the feasibility of the conventional predistortion architecturesto single band applications. Higher sampling rate ADCs have lowerresolution, consume more power and are more expensive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the aboveproblems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide, ahigh performance and cost effective method of power amplifier systemswith high linearity and high efficiency for multi-frequency bandwideband communication system applications. The present disclosureenables a power amplifier system to be field reconfigurable and supportmultiple operating frequency bands on the same PA system over a verywide bandwidth. In addition, the present invention supportsmulti-modulation schemes (modulation agnostic), multi-carriers, andmulti-channels.

To achieve the above objects, according to the present invention, thetechnique is based on the method of adaptive digital predistortion tolinearize a RF power amplifier. The present invention is based on usingdistinct signals from different frequencies (Multi-Band Signals). TheseMulti-Band Signals will experience distortion by the power amplifier andcreate nonlinear distortion centered on each carrier that isapproximately five times their individual bandwidths. The feedbacksignal from the power amplifier's are down converted to an intermediatefrequency (IF) that insures that the fundamental carrier bandwidths willnot be aliased onto each other after sampling in the ADC. The presentinvention can accommodate aliasing of the nonlinear distortion of theindividual carriers.

Various embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In an embodiment,the combination of crest factor reduction (CFR), DPD, power efficiencyboosting techniques as well as coefficient adaptive algorithms areutilized within a PA system. In another embodiment, analog quadraturemodulator (AQM) compensation structure is also utilized to enhanceperformance.

Some embodiments of the present invention are able to monitor thefluctuation of the power amplifier characteristics and to self-adjust bymeans of a self-adaptation algorithm. One such self-adaptation algorithmpresently disclosed is called an adaptive DPD algorithm, which isimplemented in the digital domain and taught in the applicationsincorporated herein by reference and attached as an Appendix.

Applications of the present invention are suitable for use with allwireless base-stations, access points, mobile equipment and wirelessterminals, portable wireless devices, and other wireless communicationsystems such as microwave and satellite communications.

THE FIGURES

Further objects and advantages of the present invention can be morefully understood from the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the basic form of a digitalpredistortion power amplifier system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a simple digital predistortion blockdiagram for a power amplifier system according to one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing polynomial based predistorter of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the digital predistortion Direct Learningalgorithm applied for self-adaptation in a digital predistortion poweramplifier system of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the digital predistortion In-directLearning algorithm applied for self-adaptation in a digitalpredistortion power amplifier system of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a depiction of the frequency domain signals present in thealiased digital predistortion system.

FIG. 7 is an embodiment of the Quadrature Modulator compensation blockarchitecture.

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

-   ACLR Adjacent Channel Leakage Ratio-   ACPR Adjacent Channel Power Ratio-   ADC Analog to Digital Converter-   AQDM Analog Quadrature Demodulator-   AQM Analog Quadrature Modulator-   AQDMC Analog Quadrature Demodulator Corrector-   AQMC Analog Quadrature Modulator Corrector-   BPF Bandpass Filter-   CDMA Code Division Multiple Access-   CFR Crest Factor Reduction-   DAC Digital to Analog Converter-   DET Detector-   DHMPA Digital Hybrid Mode Power Amplifier-   DDC Digital Down Converter-   DNC Down Converter-   DPA Doherty Power Amplifier-   DPD Digital Predistortion-   DQDM Digital Quadrature Demodulator-   DQM Digital Quadrature Modulator-   DSP Digital Signal Processing-   DUC Digital Up Converter-   EER Envelope Elimination and Restoration-   EF Envelope Following-   ET Envelope Tracking-   EVM Error Vector Magnitude-   FFLPA Feed forward Linear Power Amplifier-   FIR Finite Impulse Response-   FPGA Field-Programmable Gate Array-   GSM Global System for Mobile communications-   I-Q In-phase/Quadrature-   IF Intermediate Frequency-   LINC Linear Amplification using Nonlinear Components-   LO Local Oscillator-   LPF Low Pass Filter-   MCPA Multi-Carrier Power Amplifier-   MDS Multi-Directional Search-   OFDM Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing-   PA Power Amplifier-   PAPR Peak-to-Average Power Ratio-   PD Predistortion-   PLL Phase Locked Loop-   QAM Quadrature Amplitude Modulation-   QPSK Quadrature Phase Shift Keying-   RF Radio Frequency-   SAW Surface Acoustic Wave Filter-   UMTS Universal Mobile Telecommunications System-   UPC Up Converter-   WCDMA Wideband Code Division Multiple Access-   WLAN Wireless Local Area Network

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a novel multi-band predistortion system thatutilizes an adaptive digital predistortion algorithm. The presentinvention is a hybrid system of digital and analog modules. Theinterplay of the digital and analog modules of the hybrid system bothlinearize the spectral regrowth and enhance the power efficiency of thePA while maintaining or increasing the wide bandwidth. The presentinvention, therefore, achieves higher efficiency and higher linearityfor wideband complex modulation carriers that operate simultaneouslyover multiple, distinct frequency bands.

FIG. 1 is a high level block diagram showing the basic systemarchitecture which can be thought of, at least for some embodiments, ascomprising digital and analog modules and a feedback path. The digitalmodule is the digital predistortion controller 101 which comprises theDPD algorithm, other auxiliary DSP algorithms, and related digitalcircuitries. The analog module is the main power amplifier 102, otherauxiliary analog circuitries such as DPA, and related peripheral analogcircuitries of the overall system, as further discussed in theapplications incorporated by reference. The present invention is a“black box”, plug-and-play type system because it accepts RF modulatedsignal 100 as its input, and provides a substantially identical butamplified RF signal 103 as its output, therefore, it is RF-in/RF-out.Baseband input signals can be applied directly to the DigitalPredistorter Controller according to one embodiment of the presentinvention. An Optical input signal can be applied directly to theDigital Predistorter Controller according to one embodiment of thepresent invention. The feedback path essentially provides arepresentation of the output signal to the predistortion controller 101.

In either input mode, the memory effects due to self-heating, biasnetworks, and frequency dependencies of the active device arecompensated by the adaptation algorithm 204 in the DPD 201, FIG. 2. InFIG. 2, the multi-band RF input x[n] is provided to a DPD 201 and to DPDAlgorithm logic 204. The output of the DPD 201, z[n] is provided to aDAC 202 and the logic 204. The output of the DAC 202 provides the inputto the power amplifier 203. The distortion characteristic of the PA issensed by the feedback samples y(t), which are converted in the ADC 206into data ya[n] and provided to alignment logic 205. After alignment thedata ya[n] provides feedback data to the algorithm logic 204.

The coefficients of the DPD are adapted by synchronizing the widebandcaptured, aliased output Multi-Band Signal ya[n] from the feedback path(Sampled Feedback Aliased Signal) with the reference Multi-Band Signalx[n] (Input Signal). The DPD algorithm performs the synchronization andcompensation. The synchronization aligns the reference signal with thealiased feedback signal in the alignment block. In one embodiment of theDPD algorithm, the reference signal and the aliased Sampled FeedbackAliased Signal ya[n] are used in the Direct Learning adaptive algorithm.In another embodiment of the DPD algorithm, the aliased predistortedsignal za[n] (Predistorted Output Aliased Signal) and the SampledFeedback Aliased Signal ya[n] are used in an Indirect Learning adaptivealgorithm.

Some embodiments apply crest factor reduction (CFR) prior to the DPDwith an adaptation algorithm in one digital processor, so as to reducethe PAPR, EVM and ACPR and compensate the memory effects and variationof the linearity due to the temperature changing of the PA. The digitalprocessor can take nearly any form; for convenience, an FPGAimplementation is typically used, but a general purpose processor isalso acceptable in many embodiments. The CFR implemented in the digitalmodule of the embodiments is based on the scaled iterative pulsecancellation presented in patent application US61/041,164, filed Mar.31, 2008, entitled An Efficient Peak Cancellation Method For ReducingThe Peak-To-Average Power Ratio In Wideband Communication Systems,incorporated herein by reference. The CFR is included to enhanceperformance and hence optional. The CFR can be removed from theembodiments without affecting the overall functionality.

In all embodiments, the memory effects due to self-heating, biasnetworks, and frequency dependencies of the active device arecompensated by the adaptation algorithm in the DPD. The coefficients ofthe DPD are adapted by synchronizing the wideband captured output signalfrom the feedback path with the reference signal. The digitalpredistortion algorithm performs the synchronization and compensation.The predistorted signal is passed through a DQM in order to generate thereal signal and then converted to an IF analog signal via a DAC. The DQMis not required to be implemented in the FPGA, or at all, in allembodiments. If the DQM is not used in the FPGA, then the AQMImplementation can be implemented with two DACs to generate real andimaginary signals, respectively.

FIG. 3. is a block diagram showing a predistortion (PD) part in the DPDsystem of the present invention. The PD in the present inventiongenerally utilizes an adaptive polynomial-based digital predistortionsystem. Another embodiment of the PD utilizes a LUT-based digitalpredistortion system. More specifically, the PD illustrated in FIG. 3are processed in the digital processor by an adaptive algorithm,presented in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/961,969, entitled AMethod for Baseband Predistortion Linearization in Multi-ChannelWideband Communication Systems. The PD for the PD system in FIG. 3, hasmultiple finite impulse response (FIR) filters, that is, FIR1 301, FIR2303, FIR3 305, and FIR4 307. The PD also contains the third orderproduct generation block 302, the fifth order product generation block304, and the seventh order product generation block 306. The outputsignals from FIR filters are combined in the summation block 308.Coefficients for multiple FIR filters are updated by the digitalpredistortion algorithm.

Digital Predistorter Algorithm

Digital Predistortion (DPD) is a technique to linearize a poweramplifier (PA). FIG. 2 shows the block diagram of a digitallypredistorted PA system. In the DPD block, a memory polynomial model isused as the predistortion function (FIG. 3).

${z(n)} = {\sum\limits_{i = 0}^{n - 1}{{x_{t}\left( {n - i} \right)}\left( {\sum\limits_{j = 0}^{k - 1}{a_{ij}{{x_{t}\left( {n - i} \right)}}^{j}}} \right)}}$where a_(ij) are the DPD coefficients.

In the DPD estimator block, a least square algorithm is utilized to findthe DPD coefficients a_(ij), and then transfer them to DPD block. Thedetailed DPD algorithm is shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. The coefficientsare obtained using the QR RLS adaptive algorithm in the DPD estimatorblock.

FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of the multi-band digital predistorter. TheDirect Learning adaptive algorithm has two inputs, into the DPDestimator. The DPD estimator uses the aliased sampled Multi-Band Signalxa[n] (Sampled Input Aliased Signal) as a reference and the SampledFeedback Aliased Signal ya[n] as an input. Thus the x(n) signal isprovided to DPD 400 and also frequency translation/aliasing logic 420.The DPD outputs signal z(n), while the aliasing logic 420 outputs xa(n)and provides it to integer delay logic 402 which then supplies a signalto, fractional delay logic 402 and mux 414, which also receives theoutput of the logic 402. The mux also receives a control signal fromdelay estimator 406, and provides an output to block xa′ 404, whichdetermines xa′(n-m) The mux output is also supplied to data buffer 405,which provides its output to DPD estimator 412, and control signals tophase shift block 410 and gain correction block 411. The feedback signaly(t) is provided to ADC 421, also with sampling frequency F_(s), whichis selected to create appropriate Nyquist zones for the aliased signals.The ADC output is provided to feedback data buffer 408, as is ya(n) datafrom block 407. The data buffer 408 provides data to delay estimator 406as well as providing the data to phase shifter 410 and gain correctionblock 411. The gain correction is supplied to the DPD estimator, which,together with the predistortion coefficients already in memory, shown at401, are muxed back to DPD 400.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the multi-band digital predistorter.The in-direct Learning adaptive algorithm of FIG. 5 has two inputs intothe DPD estimator. The DPD estimator uses the Predistorted OutputAliased Signal za[n] as a reference and the Sampled Feedback AliasedSignal ya[n] as an input, but is otherwise very similar to FIG. 4 andtherefore is not explained further.

A depiction of the spectrum domain plots are shown in FIG. 6. Thereference Input Signal x[n] shows two distinct bands centered atfrequencies F_(a) and F_(b). The operating bandwidth of the individualcarriers is small in comparison to the frequency spacing between thecarriers. The nonlinearities in the power amplifier will cause spectralre-growth as shown in the analog feedback Multi-Band Signal y(t) (AnalogFeedback Signal). The Analog Feedback Signal is down converted to anintermediate frequency F_(i) which is selected to be in the 1st Nyquistzone as shown in FIG. 6. The choice of frequency F_(i) is dependent onthe ADC sampling rate used, or F_(s), the operating bandwidth of thecarriers and the frequency separation (F_(a)-F_(b)) between thecarriers. The ADC sampling rate F_(s) is typically the limiting factorin the choice of F_(i). For a two carrier system F_(a) is positioned inthe 1st Nyquist zone and F_(b) is positioned in the 2nd Nyquist zone inat least some embodiments, although either signal F_(a) or F_(b) couldbe positioned in the third, fourth or nth Nyquist zones, depending uponthe particular implementation. The primary requirement is simply thatthe two signal are located in different Nyquist zones. The choice ofF_(i) limits how close F_(a) and F_(b) can be separated together.

Sampling on the Analog Feedback Signal y(t) generates images as shown inthe spectrum for the Sampled Feedback Aliased Signal ya[n]. Thenonlinear distortion from the individual carriers are allowed to aliasonto each other as long as the aliased part of the signal does notadversely impact the original Multi-Band signal. A Direct Learningalgorithm uses the difference between xa[n] and ya[n] to minimize theresultant error signal. The QR RLS algorithm uses this error to adaptthe predistorter coefficients in the DPD estimator. The In-Directlearning algorithm first models the power amplifier using thePredistorted Output Aliased Signal za[n] and the Sampled FeedbackAliased Signal ya[n]. The modelled power amplifier coefficients are thenused to calculate the predistorter coefficients.

FIG. 7, is a block diagram showing the analog quadrature modulatorcompensation structure. The analog quadrature modulator will translatethe baseband signal output from the DACs to an RF frequency. The inputsignal is separated into an in-phase component X_(I) and a quadraturecomponent X_(Q). The analog quadrature modulator compensation structurecomprises four real filters {g11, g12, g21, g22} and two DC offsetcompensation parameters c1, c2. The DC offsets in the AQM will becompensated by the parameters c1, c2. The frequency dependence of theAQM will be compensated by the filters {g11, g12, g21, g22}. The orderof the real filters is dependent on the level of compensation required.The output signals Y_(I) and Y_(Q) will be presented to the AQM'sin-phase and quadrature ports.

In summary, the multi-band wideband power amplifier predistortion systemof the present invention can significantly reduce the feedback ADCsampling rate requirements. This will enable multi-band widebandapplications and reduce the power consumption and cost. The system isalso reconfigurable and field-programmable since the algorithms andpower efficiency enhancing features can be adjusted like software in thedigital processor at anytime, as discussed in greater detail in theapplications incorporated by reference and attached as an Appendix.

Moreover, the multi-band wideband DPD system is agnostic to modulationschemes such as QPSK, QAM, OFDM, etc. in CDMA, GSM, WCDMA, CDMA2000, andwireless LAN systems. This means that the DPD system is capable ofsupporting multi-modulation schemes, multi-carriers and multi-channels.Other benefits of the DPD system includes correction of PAnon-linearities in repeater or indoor coverage systems that do not havethe necessary baseband signals information readily available.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to thepreferred embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is notlimited to the details described thereof. Various substitutions andmodifications have been suggested in the foregoing description, andothers will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, allsuch substitutions and modifications are intended to be embraced withinthe scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

1. A digital predistortion system comprising: an RF input signal; apower amplifier for providing an amplified output including a distortioncharacteristic; a feedback signal derived from the amplified outputincluding a representation of at least a portion of the distortioncharacteristic; and predistortion logic responsive to the feedbacksignal and to the input signal for generating an aliased representationof the input signal and deriving predistortion coefficients based on thealiased signals, wherein a sampling rate of the aliased representationof the input signal is less than twice a maximum bandwidth of the inputsignal.
 2. The digital predistortion system of claim 1 furthercomprising a digital predistorter that receives the RF input signal, thedigital predictor effecting the predistortion coefficients derived bythe predistortion logic.
 3. The digital predistortion system of claim 2wherein the digital predistorter utilizes an adaptive polynomial-baseddigital predistortion system, the polynomial-based digital predistortionsystem utilizing the predistortion coefficients derived by thepredistortion logic.
 4. The digital predistortion system of claim 2wherein the digital predistorter utilizes a look-up-table-based digitalpredistortion system with finite impulse response filters, whereincoefficients for the finite impulse response filters comprise thepredistortion coefficients derived by the predistortion logic.
 5. Thedigital predistortion system of claim 2 further comprising: a digital toanalog convertor coupled to the digital predistorter and the poweramplifier; and an analog to digital convertor that converts the feedbacksignal from analog to digital format.
 6. The digital predistortionsystem of claim 1 further comprising alignment logic that aligns thefeedback signal relative to the RF input signal.
 7. The digitalpredistortion system of claim 1 wherein the aliased representation ofthe input signal has a frequency in a Nyquist zone.
 8. The digitalpredistortion system of claim 1 wherein the predistortion coefficientsare derived using a Direct Learning adaptive algorithm.
 9. The digitalpredistortion system of claim 1 wherein the predistortion coefficientsare derived using an Indirect Learning adaptive algorithm.
 10. Thedigital predistortion system of claim 1 wherein the predistortioncoefficients are derived to account for memory effects due to one ormore of self-heating, bias networks and frequency dependencies of activedevices in the digital predistortion system.
 11. A method for amplifyingsignals, the method comprising: receiving an RF input signal; detectingan amplified output from a power amplifier, the output being responsiveto the RF input signal and including a distortion characteristic;deriving a feedback signal from the amplified output including arepresentation of at least a portion of the distortion characteristic;and generating, via predistortion logic responsive to the feedbacksignal and to the input signal, an aliased representation of the inputsignal and deriving predistortion coefficients based on the aliasedsignals, wherein a sampling rate of the aliased representation of theinput signal is less than twice a maximum bandwidth of the input signal.12. The method of claim 11 further comprising: receiving a second RFinput signal; and predistorting, using a digital predistortor, thesecond RF input signal using the predistortion coefficients derived bythe predistortion logic.
 13. The method of claim 12 whereinpredistorting the second RF input signal comprises utilizing an adaptivepolynomial-based digital predistortion system, the polynomial-baseddigital predistortion system utilizing the predistortion coefficientsderived by the predistortion logic.
 14. The method of claim 12 whereinpredistorting the second RF input signal comprises utilizing alook-up-table-based digital predistortion system with finite impulseresponse filters, wherein coefficients for the finite impulse responsefilters comprise the predistortion coefficients derived by thepredistortion logic.
 15. The method of claim 11 further comprising:converting the feedback signal from analog to digital format; andconverting the predistorted second RF input from digital to analogformat.
 16. The method of claim 11 further comprising aligning thefeedback signal relative to the RF input signal.
 17. The method of claim11 wherein the aliased representation of the input signal has afrequency in a Nyquist zone.
 18. The method of claim 11 wherein thepredistortion coefficients are derived using a Direct Learning adaptivealgorithm.
 19. The method of claim 11 wherein the predistortioncoefficients are derived using an Indirect Learning adaptive algorithm.20. The method of claim 11 wherein the predistortion coefficients arederived to account for memory effects due to one or more ofself-heating, bias networks and frequency dependencies of active devicesin the digital predistortion system.